Song of America is a three CD, fifty song collection that tells the history of our country through song, from 1492 through modern times. Conceived by former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno as new versions of beloved songs interpreted by contemporary artists who span the folk, blues, rock, R&B, country, classical and hip-hop genres, this joint venture between Split Rock Records and 31 Tigers (via RED Distribution) offers listeners a way to connect or reconnect with America’s vast musical and cultural heritage.

Key tracks include John Mellencamp’s version of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” Blind Boys of Alabama’s “Let Us Break Bread Together,” Bettye LaVette’s transcendent take on Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets Of Philadelphia,” the first recording of The Black Crowes’ Robinson brothers singing with their father Stan (“Reuben James”), Martha Wainwright’s updated rendition of “I Am Woman,” Andrew Bird’s wistful account of “How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm,” Harper Simon’s “Yankee Doodle,” and The Del McCoury Band’s soon-to-be-classic take on Bob Dylan’s “The Times, They Are A Changin’.”

Song of America will be officially released on September 18, 2007. It may be preordered at amazon.com.

Song list

Follow the link in the track titles to be taken to lyrics for each song. Asterisks indicate that lyrics for this title are not available online. The third column indicates which unit the song appears in the Voices Across Time Teacher's Guide and is linked to information in that unit, including available lesson plans.